Methods, systems, and devices for deploying a filter from a filter device

• US 20030009188A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rubicor Medical Incorporated (Encapsule Medical Devices LLC)
• Original Assignee: Rubicor Medical Incorporated (Encapsule Medical Devices LLC)
• Inventors: Edmiston, Daryl R., Linder, Richard J., Johnson, Steven W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,951,570 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/194
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/01 Filters implantable into blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/011 Instruments for their placement or removal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/018 made from tubes or sheets of material, e.g. by etching or laser-cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/008 paraboloidal

Abstract

A filter device is adapted to function as a guidewire, an exchange guidewire, and provide embolic protection during a procedure. The filter device includes a filter assembly that is either integral with or coupled to a guide member. The filter assembly includes a plurality of struts that expand outwardly to deploy a filter that collects or captures material flowing along the blood vessel within which the filter device is deployed. The plurality of struts are constrained by a restraining member or mechanism that prevents the plurality of struts from expanding or extending outwardly to deploy the filter. Cooperating with the restraining member or mechanism is an actuating assembly that is adapted to release the restraining member or mechanism and enable the filter to be deployed from the guide member. A capture catheter that cooperates with the filter device and substantially surrounds the filter during removal of the filter device.

Claims

1. A filter device for percutaneous insertion into a blood vessel during a procedure, the filter device comprising:

(a) a guide member comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from the distal end to the proximal end, said guide member being configured to act as an exchange guidewire;

(b) means for filtering material from a blood stream, said means being disposed within said lumen of said guide member; and

(c) means for deploying said means for filtering from said lumen of said guide member into the blood stream in the blood vessel and retracting said means for filtering upon completing the procedure.

2. A filter device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for deploying comprises an actuating assembly.

3. A filter device as recited in claim 2, wherein said actuating assembly comprises an actuating member and an actuating element.

4. A filter device as recited in claim 3, wherein said actuating element is moveable by a human.

5. A filter device as recited in claim 3, wherein said actuating element is a moveable by a removable clamp set.

6. A filter device as recited in claim 3, wherein said actuating element is coupled to said guide member.

7. A filter device as recited in claim 3, wherein said actuating element comprises an open indicator, a closed indicator, and a retracted indicator.

8. A filter device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for filtering comprises a filter.

9. A filter device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for deploying comprises an actuating member coupled to an actuator head, said actuator head communicating with said means for filtering.

10. A filter device as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for filtering comprises means for opening an end of said means for filtering.

11. A filter device as recited in claim 10, wherein said means for opening comprises a biased member.

13. The filter device a recited in claim 12, wherein said actuating member is disposed in said lumen of said guide member.

14. The filter device a recited in claim 12, wherein said actuating member is partially disposed in said lumen of said guide member.

15. A filter device as recited in claim 12, wherein said filter assembly comprises means for opening said opening formed in the filter.

16. A filter device as recited in claim 15, wherein said means for opening comprises a biased member.

17. A filter device as recited in claim 16, wherein said biased member is a flexible member.

18. A filter device as recited in claim 16, wherein said biased member is a spring member.

19. A filter device as recited in claim 15, wherein said means for opening comprises said actuating member.

12. A filter device comprising:

(a) a guide member comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end to said proximal end;

(b) an actuating assembly coupled to said guide member, said actuating assembly comprising;

(i) an actuating member disposed within said lumen of said guide member; and

(ii) an actuating mechanism coupled to said distal end of said guide member and to said actuating member; and

(c) a filter assembly disposed within said lumen and configured to be deployed by said actuating member, said filter assembly comprising;

(i) a filter comprising a proximal end with an opening formed therein; and

(ii) a plurality of struts coupled to said proximal end of said filter and said actuating member, at least one of said plurality of struts being biased to open said opening.

20. A method for operating a vascular filter device during a procedure, comprising:

(a) inserting a filter device into the vasculature of a patient distal of a portion of a blood vessel to be accessed during a procedure, said filter device comprising;

(i) a guide member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from said distal end; and

(ii) a filter disposed within said lumen at said distal end of said guide member;

(b) deploying said filter from within said lumen into the blood stream to capture material that is dislodged during the procedure;

(c) retracting said filter until an open-ended proximal end thereof is positioned in relationship with said guide member to prevent said captured material from escaping from said filter; and

(d) upon positioning a capture catheter to enclose said filter, removing said filter device and said capture catheter from the vasculature of the patient.

21. A method as recited in claim 20, further comprising locking said capture catheter to said guide member.

22. A method as recited in claim 20, where said filter device comprises means for an actuating member coupled to said guide member.

23. A method as recited in claim 22, further comprising actuating said actuating member to deploy said filter.

24. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein retracting said filter comprises retracting said open-ended proximal end of said filter until said proximal end is in contact with said guide member.

25. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein retracting said filter comprises retracting said open-ended proximal end of said filter into said lumen of said guide member.

26. A method as recited in claim 20, wherein deploying said filter comprises pushing said filter from said lumen.

27. A method as recited in claim 26, further comprising expanding said proximal end of said filter to form said opening.

28. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein expanding said proximal end further comprises automatically expanding said proximal end through rotational motion of an actuating member disposed in said lumen.

30. A method as recited in claim 29, wherein retracting said filter comprises moving said actuating member in a proximal direction by moving an actuator element in a proximal direction.

31. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein moving said actuating member further comprises moving a first clamp set coupled to said actuator element to move said actuating member.

32. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein moving said actuating member further comprises moving said actuator element by-hand to move said actuating member.

33. A method as recited in claim 30, further comprising locking said capture catheter to said guide member.

29. A method for removing a vascular filter device, comprising:

(a) following deploying a filter of a filter assembly from a guide member by moving an actuating member disposed within a lumen of said guide member in a distal direction, retracting said filter until an opened proximal end of said filter is positioned in relationship with said guide member to prevent the captured material from escaping from said filter; and

(b) upon positioning a capture catheter to enclose said filter, removing said filter device and said capture catheter from the vasculature of the patient.